Ethernet Switch compatible with Windows VISTA

JohnRo
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Jan 17, 2017
Hello barryb1,

Welcome to the community!

The FS205 is an unmanaged switch and basically a plug-and-play unit. Here are some things you can check:

If you are using a router, make sure you have them setup in this order: Modem>Router>Switch>PC(clients).

If you do not have a router, check if your modem can give enough IP addresses to the devices connected to it.

Do an ipconfig on the vista and see if the IP address is on the same range as the other devices on the network.

To better help you with this issue, I have some questions below:

What is the model number and brand of your router?

Has this been working before?

Do you get internet when the Vista PC is connected directly to the modem/router?

Thanks,
- barryb1
  Aspirant
  Jan 18, 2017
  I just have a cable modem? And yes, it works with Vista, OR my Windows 10, but not both together. That is why I got the switch. I wanted them both to be connected for ease, but, as of now, I just plug the ethernet in from either one, into the modem.
  So, this switch should work? I plugged it into the modem, then attached each PCs ethernet into the splitter. All lights are on, but no matter which port I put them in, the Vista just won't come on.
  Thank you!!!
  - DaneA
    NETGEAR Employee Retired
    Jan 18, 2017
    barryb1,
    
    The cable modem you have can only provide one IP Address for just one client that is why even if you connect the FS205 directly to the modem, only one PC will be able to access the internet. The FS205 does not have the capability to provide IP addresses to each PC connected to it since its just a pass-through, unmanaged switch.
    
    You need to have a router in between the cable modem and the FS205. Its because the router can provide private IP Addresses to all clients connected to the local network. I suggest you the network setup below:
    
    From the diagram above, the modem is connected to the WAN port of the router. The FS205 is connected to one of the LAN ports of the router. The two PCs connected to the FS205 will be able to have internet access at the same time because the router will provide private IP address to each PC. You can also connect other PCs directly to other LAN ports of the router that are not being used and still can go online at the same time with other PCs.
    
    For the router, I suggest you the FVS318Gv2. Kindly check the data sheet and comparison to other ProSAFE VPN Firewall Routers here.
    
    Regards,
    
    DaneA
    NETGEAR Community Team